Memories about growing up in:

Back in time: children's Nutritional School

Back in time: children's Nutritional School

Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2017 5:43 pm

by Ersauceda68

My mother has told me of stories when she grew up in west Fresno. My grandparents were migrant farm worker's who had traveled from Texas, Arizona and settling in Fresno in 1940. My mothers recalls her younger sister being sent away to a Childrens school located on W OLIVE or W BELMONT Ave in 1945 and my Mom and her older sister followed months later. She only recalls that Calif social services had said my aunt was to SKINNY and since grandparents couldnt afford alot (that was the perception of migrant workers) my aunt should be sent to this NUTRITIONAL SCHOOL for children where she will attend, live there, and grandparents or family could visit weekends

My mom and her sisters stayed at this NUTRITIONAL school for 5-7 years...(1945-1951). She has memories of horrible treatment influcted upon them, and remembers Ms. Blackwell as head teacher. I've have researched all over and cant locate any records on this school....Anyone hear if it or can help me?

Re: Back in time: children's Nutritional School

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2017 10:41 am

by Lost Fresno

Thank you for posting about the Nutritional Home. My research turned up this 1944 article which states that the school was located on West Belmont Ave. I assume this is the school that your Mother spoke about. Migrant farm workers are an important part of Fresno's history. In fact, my wife's father originally started out that way and was promoted to running large farms in the time period you spoke of.

Although this Fresno Bee article does not offer a lot of information, it is my hope that other readers will see it and offer their memories. You should know that although you may not see replies to this posting for some time, it does not mean that it is not being read. Sometimes it take a long time for the right person to come along and share information about long forgotten parts of lost Fresno memories. So keep checking back.

Re: Back in time: children's Nutritional School

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2017 11:55 am

by Lost Fresno

Ok, one more lead for you. In this article about a benefit at the White Theater, it lists the superintendent of the Nutritional School as Margret T. Blackman. This may be the individual your Mom spoke of, not Ms. Blackwell. Hope this helps in your search.